Diplomatic efforts for peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in the Middle East are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in near future.

To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks.

Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture.

We also urge all warring parties to observe a ceasefire everywhere for two weeks to allow diplomacy to achieve conclusive termination of war, in the interest of long-term peace and stability in the region.

Trump sharply criticized Iran’s call for young people to line up as human shields around power plants.

"Totally illegal," he said. "They’re not allowed to do that."